Educational Advancement of Registered Nurses BSN in Ten

Transcription

1 Educational Advancement of Registered Nurses BSN in Ten Proposal In order to meet the current and future health care needs of the citizens of Missouri, the following is proposed: Legislation will be enacted that will require all newly licensed registered nurses to attain a baccalaureate degree in nursing within ten years of initial licensure (BSN in Ten) in order to maintain eligibility for unrestricted practice i as a registered professional nurse in the state of Missouri. Those individuals currently licensed in the state will be exempt [grandparented in] from having to meet the requirements of this legislation. Those who are currently enrolled in associate degree and diploma programs at the time of the enactment of this proposal will be exempt [grandparented in] from having to meet the requirements of this legislation ii. Support from this proposal is sought from the associate, diploma, and baccalaureate degree nursing programs as well as nursing and healthcare organizations in Missouri. The BSN in Ten proposal recognizes the importance of associate degree and diploma nursing education as affordable, accessible entry points for many into nursing. The competencies of these graduates are reflected in high NCLEX pass rates and consistently high employer satisfaction. However, as well-prepared as these graduates are, research suggests that advanced education has a direct impact on patient outcomes as well as on the individual skill and competence of the nurse. BSN preparation is better suited to meet the health care needs of Missouri citizens as it provides more than basic knowledge of patient care; it promotes a foundation that will enhance nurses ability to be effective change agents and to adapt to evolving models of care. Competencies in leadership, health policy, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and systems thinking will be the expectation of future employers. Thus, the recommendation that 80% of the nursing workforce achieve the BSN by 2020 was viewed as bold but achievable by the IOM Committee. Vital to the health of Missouri citizens, Missouri nurses must adopt a framework of continuous lifelong learning that includes basic education, academic progression, and continuing competencies [IOM, 2010]. At the present time, there are 35 associate degree, one diploma, and 23 baccalaureate degree programs in nursing in the state of Missouri. While this proposal does not specifically address LPN education, it does recognize that the LPN BSN pathway provides an additional opportunity to achieve the baccalaureate degree. Benner [2009] noted that those who choose LPN education represent a very diverse population. Support for these individuals to achieve the BSN would further enhance the diversity of the profession. History. In 1965, the American Nurses Association (ANA) wrote a position paper supporting baccalaureate preparation as the minimum education for nurses entering practice. This position was later affirmed by a 1978 ANA House of Delegates, but was never legislated. The current proposal is different from the ANA proposals in that it allows initial entry into the practice with various educational backgrounds. While the pros and cons of requiring minimum education in nursing have been debated during the remaining years, it appears that certain forces have convened that make this the right time for Missouri to pursue this requirement: Other states are also engaged in similar discussions (e.g., Kansas, Oklahoma, New Jersey, New York);

2 Although a nursing shortage looms, due to the state of the economy and nurses remaining or returning to the workforce, there is currently only a 4.1 % (MHA) vacancy rate for RN positions in Missouri which means employers can be more particular about the educational background of new hires; Funding for nursing education has been supported during the current initiative for health care reform. Professional Support. Several organizations, studies, and reports have recently supported the enhancement of nursing education. In its 2001report to the US Department of Health and Human Services, the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice [NACNEP] recommended that 66% of the nursing workforce hold a baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing by this current year Approximately 14% of the 3.1 million registered nurses are masters prepared; less than 1% holds the doctorate. Sixty-six percent of the nation s graduates are prepared at the associate degree level [Aiken et al., 2009]. In 2008, the ANA House of Delegates resolved that the ANA advocate for and promote legislative action that enhances nursing education. Within that context, the ANA also supports the requirement of attainment of the baccalaureate degree in nursing within 10 years of initial licensure. ANA s suggested legislative approach seeks to build on the competencies nurses acquire during their associate degree or diploma in nursing education by expanding their knowledge base in the liberal arts and sciences. In addition they must develop competence in managing complex conditions, systems thinking, quality improvement, coordination of care with multiple healthcare providers, and possess an understanding of health care policy. Also in 2008, the American Organization of Nurse Executives [AONE] issued a position paper which supported the need for nurses to advance their education in order to meet the increasingly complex health care environment The Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health [2010], cites four key messages around which the document is developed. One of those messages Nurses should achieve higher levels of education and training through an improved education system that promotes seamless academic progression is foundational to the proposal for the BSN in Ten. Based on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act [ACA], there will be an increasing need for nurses in public health and community settings to manage chronic illness and to coordinate care among agencies and clinicians. Nurses will require the ability to work with patients across the lifespan--in particular the growing geriatric population. Patient needs have become more complex which require an extraordinary level of competence in clinical reasoning. Care in the evolving healthcare setting requires the ability to utilize sophisticated technology in conjunction with complex information management systems that require skills in analysis and synthesis. Such skills are gained through exposure to the liberal arts and higher education. Significantly higher levels of preparation in evidence-based practice and research skills were reported by new BSN graduates [Kovner et al., 2010]. Professional Influence. Advanced education will better enable nurses to practice as full partners on a multidisciplinary team. Other healthcare professions have increased educational entry requirements including physical therapists requiring a masters degree in 2002 with doctoral degree required by 2020; social workers require a masters degree; the Pharm.D has replaced the bachelor of pharmacy degree for pharmacists. Failure to require pursuit of a baccalaureate degree may imply to the public that nursing is a technical career and may discourage highly competent individuals from pursuing the career.

3 Faculty Shortage. The need for BSN prepared nurses has been heightened by the current shortage of nursing faculty. For eight consecutive years, nursing programs have turned away thousands of qualified applicants; the primary reason is lack of qualified faculty [AACN, 2010]. Curley and Kovner [Jonas Center for Nursing Excellence, 2010]note in their estimate of the impact of the faculty shortage that each nurse educator position left unfilled could affect the care of as many as 3.6 million patients. Nationwide there are nearly 900 vacancies among schools with baccalaureate programs. Cleary et al., [2009] note that nurses who enter the profession with an associate s degree are less likely than those who enter with a BSN to advance to the graduate level over the course of their careers. Aiken et al. [2009] research indicates that nurses whose initial degree is the ADN are just as likely as BSN prepared nurses to seek another degree; however approximately 80% of the time ADN graduates do not move beyond the BSN. Thus, Aiken s findings suggest that nursing programs will never have enough faculty as it is a mathematical improbability. Bevill et al., {2007} conducted an analysis of nurses in North Carolina and found similar results. Both AACN and National League for Nursing (NLN) data demonstrate the current faculty shortage; the National Sample Survey [2004] data reflect an insufficient number of nurses advancing their education. Data show that only 6.4% of those educated at the associate degree level and 11.7% of those educated at the diploma level obtained graduate degrees in nursing. Twentytwo percent of those prepared initially in baccalaureate programs obtained a graduate or doctoral degree. Based on these data, strategies need to be implemented across all educational levels to facilitate educational advancement (e.g., ADN to MSN advancement). Barriers. Certain barriers prevent educational advancement. These barriers include: redundancy of educational content, means of delivery and access including broad-band access in rural areas, limited, if any, pay differentials for advanced education, financial support, family responsibilities in a currently female-dominated profession, travel requirements especially from rural areas, mandatory overtime in the workplace, and limited support from peers and managers. Summary. If this trend continues nationwide, the profession will be ill-prepared to provide care for patients, to function in a reformed health care system, to advance nursing science, to enter faculty roles, or to manage clients in a variety of advanced practice settings. In its landmark consensus policy statement on the educational advancement of registered nurses, the Tri-Council encouraged all nurses, regardless of entry point into the profession, to continue their education in programs that grant baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degrees. Without a more well-educated nursing workforce, the nation s health will be further at risk [Tri-Council, May 2010]. The policy statement outlined developments leading to the consensus and action steps to achieve their goals. This position paper further supports the need for advanced education in light of the increasing complexity of care, lack of qualified faculty and projected shortage of nurses. Health care organizations throughout the US are now requiring the BSN for entry level positions [IOM, 2010]. Those hospitals who have been recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program or are on the Magnet Journey seek to employ BSN-prepared graduates [Aiken, 2010]. Effective January 1, 2011, the Magnet Recognition Program requires that 75% of nurse managers must have at least a baccalaureate in nursing. A higher degree in nursing (a master's or doctorate in nursing), will meet the requirement even if the baccalaureate degree is not in nursing. Goode et al. [2001] noted that depending upon the type of hospital, the goal for the proportion of BSNprepared nurses ranges from 50% to 90%. Cronenwett s [2010] survey of hiring practices in acute care settings revealed that absent a nursing shortage, new graduates who were BSN-prepared were preferred. This may be related, in part, to several studies that support a significant relationship

4 between the educational level of nurses and patient outcomes in the acute care setting, including mortality rates [Aiken, et al., 2003; Delgado, 2002; Estabrooks et al., 2005; Friese, et al., 2008; Tourangeau, et al., 2007; Van den Heede et al., 2009]. In community and public health settings, the BSN has historically been the minimum requirement based on the knowledge and competencies required in those settings [ACHNE, 2009]. The US Army Nurse Corps has required the BSN for nurses on active duty since 1976 followed by the enactment of similar requirements for the Navy and Air Force. The chief of the Army Nurse Corps stated that this basic educational preparation of Army Nurses gave us the credibility, creativity, and flexibility to maximize nurses contributions to patient care [January 2004 letter from Brigadier General William Bester as cited in the ONA report]. The Veterans Health Administration requires the BSN for those who wish to advance beyond entry level appointment. While there may be a temporary halt in the shortage of nurses at the bedside, the recent release of a statement by the Tri-Council for Nursing in July 2010 cautioned that programs not slow the production of nurses given the projected demand for nursing services in light of the new health care reform. Peter Buerhaus, in the same paper, called for stakeholders to resist the short-term urge to curtail the production of registered nurses. Buerhaus et al. [2009] also reported that the shortfall is expected to grow to 260,000 by Support Strategies In addition to input provided by education and practice settings, legislators, professional organizations, and healthcare organizations related to current and future state of the discipline, the following support strategies will be needed to facilitate the achievement of the goals of this proposal: Implementation of a common state-wide articulation plan to promote seamless articulation that will provide maximum transfer of academic credits Development of new models of articulation [e.g., Oregon Consortium] Review of curricula to eliminate redundancies Increase in capacity at colleges offering the BSN degree to ensure that all qualified nurses have a place in accredited schools Design of processes that will enhance the comfort level of adult learners in the current technology environment Increase in faculty salaries Provision of transparent and easily accessible financial aid information Development of systems of flexibility and support in the workplace so nurses can work while obtaining advanced education, e.g., on-site programs; flexible scheduling for nurses returning to school; salary/benefits during coursework to facilitate completion in timely manner; a provision to prohibit mandatory overtime as one of the barriers nurses face while pursuing their education; employer recognition for completion Evaluation of pay differentials for BSN (newly licensed and upon completion of RN-BSN) Provision of tuition assistance for nurses pursuing the BSN degree through a combination of federal, state, and employer funding Provision of scholarships and loan forgiveness programs for nursing faculty Implementation of high-speed broadband infrastructure that will allow facilitate rural participation

5 Regular collection of minimum data set to assess healthcare workforce needs by demographics, numbers, skill mix, and geographic distribution, including projected nursing workforce needs Development of partnerships to enact legislation to support educational advancement with such organizations as: o Missouri Association of Colleges of Nursing (MACN) o Missouri Associate Degrees of Nursing (MOADN) o Missouri Community Colleges Association (MCCA) o Missouri Council of Practical Nursing Education (MCPNE) o Missouri Hospital Association (MHA) o Missouri League for Nursing (MLN) o Missouri Nurses Association (MONA) o Missouri Organization of Nurse Leaders (MONL) o Missouri State Association of Licensed Practical Nurses(MOSLPN) o Missouri State Board of Nursing ( MSBN) Conclusions The proposed legislation seeks to be responsive to meeting the increasingly complex health care needs of the citizens of Missouri. It is not intended to eliminate current associate degree or diploma education that may be more accessible and financially feasible as an entry point into the profession. Rather its purpose is to build upon the strengths of those future graduates in order to prepare them for the complex challenges of patient care in a variety of settings in an evolving health care system and to assume roles in advanced practice and as nurse educators and nurse scientists. Vital to the health of Missouri citizens, Missouri nurses must adopt a framework of continuous lifelong learning that includes basic education, academic progression, and continuing competencies [IOM, 2010].

6 Bibliography AACN. 2009a. Student enrollment expands at U.S. Nursing colleges and universities for the 9th year despite financial challenges and capacity restraints. (accessed March 13, 2010). AACN. 2010a. Education policy: New policy statement from the Tri-Council for Nursing on the educational advancement of registered nurses. (accessed September 7, 2010). AACN. 2010b. The impact of education on nursing practice. (accessed September 7, 2010). ACHNE (Association of Community Health Nursing Educators) Essentials of baccalaureate nursing education for entry level community/public health nursing. Wheat Ridge, CO: ACHNE. Aiken, L. H Nursing education policy priorities. Paper commissioned by the Committee on the RWJF Initiative on the Future of Nursing, at the IOM (see Appendix I on CD-ROM). Aiken, L. H., S. P. Clarke, R. B. Cheung, D. M. Sloane, and J. H. Silber Educational levels of hospital nurses and surgical patient mortality. JAMA 290(12): Aiken, L. H., R. B. Cheung, and D. M. Olds Education policy initiatives to address the nurse shortage in the United States. Health Affairs 28(4):w646-w656. American Nurses Association. (2001, January 31). Strategies to reverse the new nursing shortage [Press release. Retrieved from: nursingworld.org/functionalmenuecategories/mediaresourcespressreleases/2001/anapressrelease.a spx American Organization of Nurse Executives (2008). Position Statement. Retrieved January 11, 2011 from: Benner, P., M. Sutphen, V. Leonard, and L. Day Educating nurses: A call for radical transformation. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Bevill, J. W., Jr., B. L. Cleary, L. M. Lacey, and J. G. Nooney Educational mobility of RNs in North Carolina: Who will teach tomorrow's nurses? A report on the first study to longitudinally examine educational mobility among nurses. American Journal of Nursing 107(5):60-70; quiz 71. Buerhaus, P.,Auerbach,D, and D. O. Steiger The recent surge in nurse employment: Causes and implications. Health Affairs 28 (4):w657-w668. Cleary, B. L., A. B. McBride, M. L. McClure, and S. C. Reinhard Expanding the capacity of nursing education. Health Affairs 28(4):w634-w645.

7 Cronenwett, L. R The future of nursing education. Paper commissioned by the Committee on the RWJF Initiative on the Future of Nursing, at the IOM. Curley, D. and C. Kovner First estimate of nursing faculty shortage portends widespread patient crisis. Jonas Center for Nursing Excellence press release. December Delgado, C Competent and safe practice. Nurse Educator 27: Estabrooks, C. A., W. K. Midodzi, G. G. Cummings, K. L. Ricker, and P. Giovannetti The impact of hospital nursing characteristics on 30-day mortality. Nursing Research 54(2): Friese, C. R., E. T. Lake, L. H. Aiken, J. H. Silber, and J. Sochalski Hospital nurse practice environments and outcomes for surgical oncology patients Health Services Research 43(4): Goode, C. J., S. Pinkerton, M. P. McCausland, P. Southard, R. Graham, and C. Krsek Documenting chief nursing officers preference for BSN-prepared nurses. Journal of Nursing Administration 31(2): HRSA The registered nurse population: Findings from the National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses, March Rockville, MD: HRSA. IOM (Institute of Medicine) The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. Kovner, C. T., C. S. Brewer, S. Yingrengreung, and S. Fairchild New nurses' views of quality improvement education. Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety 36(1): Missouri Hospital Association 2010 Annual Workforce Report. Retrieved January 27, 2011 from: National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice. (2001). Nursing: A strategic asset for the health of the nation, first report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Congress. Bethesda, MD: HRSA. Oklahoma Nurses Association (2009). Educational advancement of Registered Nurses BSN in Ten. ONA Task Force Report. Tourangeau, A. E., D. M. Doran, L. McGillis Hall, L. O'Brien Pallas, D. Pringle, J. V. Tu, and L. A. Cranley Impact of hospital nursing care on 30-day mortality for acute medical patients. Journal of Advanced Nursing 57(1): Van den Heede, K., E. Lesaffre, L. Diya, A. Vleugels, S. P. Clarke, L. H. Aiken, and W. Sermeus The relationship between inpatient cardiac surgery mortality and nurse numbers and educational level: Analysis of administrative data. International Journal of Nursing Studies 46(6):

8 Summit Participants on October 27, December 6 or Both and their Affiliation Participants Affiliation Diane Lutes Dave Strong Thom Switzer Senda Guertzgen Karen Mayes Pat Porterfield Lori Bonnot Susan Devaney Pam Galbraith Lana Martin Rebecca Miller Debra Funk Bibi Schultz Nancy DeBasio Susan Fetsch Kathryn Hope Heidi Cooper Beth Hindmon Rhonda Hutton-Gann Winnie Youger Maura Browning MOSLPN MOSLPN MOSLPN MOADN MOADN MOADN MLN MLN MLN MLN MLN MSBN MSBN MACN MACN MACN Graduate Student Representing Self MCPNE MCPNE MCPNE MHA

9 Sharon Burnett Joan Brundick Shirley Farrah Martha Baker Sarah Bradshaw Nelda Godfrey Cheri Hunt Jill Kliethermes Lynne Ott Celia Reed Jo Riggs Glenda Dahlstrom MHA LTC LTC MONA - NETF MONA - NETF MONA speaker

10 Proposed Timeline Activity Notes Date White Paper Draft Review White Paper Missouri Associate Degree in Nursing (MOADN) Meeting Missouri Nursing Coalition Meeting Report input from constituencies Model Curriculum Draft Review Model Curriculum Stakeholder Summit Include Timeline for remaining work; January 12, 2011 Task force includes Nancy DeBasio, Susan Fetsch, Katie Hope, Cheri Hunt Gather input and seek approval from January 18, 2011 constituency group by conference call; Identify remaining questions Review white paper, provide input February 4, 2011 Request Financial Support for Stakeholder Summit (concept paper will be available) Summit members will be able to report on white paper response from their constituency groups Task force includes Becky Miller, Rhonda Hutton, and Karen Mayes Gather input from constituency group by Review/Discuss White Paper; Identify potential funding sources March 2, 2011 April 15, 2011 (tentative) April 15, 2011 (tentative) Date TBD June 14 or 15, 2011 in association with the Missouri Educators Conference September 2011 Add Stakeholder Input to White Paper Face to face meeting with summit group Deadline for Legislative Will legislative language only include November 1, 2011 Language the issue of education/licensure or might it include a fiscal note and/or workforce center? Sponsor Identification For legislation December 1, 2011 Other: MSBN Board Meeting Schedule for 2011: 1 st week of March; June 1,2,3; September 7, 8, 9; December 7, 8, 9 MACN meets April 1, 2011 MOADN meets February 4, 2011 i Practice needs to be defined. ii Consequences for RNs who do not complete the degree within 10 years, is yet to be determined.